Being able to leave the house with absolute peace of mind, knowing that I can check and see what’s going on in real time, has done wonders for my nervous system — so I can be present in daily life again.
These are the exact products that I currently use (or am actively evaluating) to monitor my house while traveling.
The goal isn’t to create a “smart home.” Instead, essential data is easily accessible so I can make informed decisions.
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X-Sense WiFi Temperature & Humidity Monitors
This was the first monitoring product I purchased, and it’s brought me a ton of peace of mind.
- Observe temperature, humidity, and dew point in real-time via the monitoring app
- Hourly, day (24 hrs.) week, or month graph options
- Set custom alerts so the app will notify you when humidity goes too high
- Place monitors in different areas of the house to get a holistic view
- Base station can accommodate 50 devices!
- X-Sense Leak Detectors tie into the same app
Pro tips & Important Details
- Base station plugs into AC power; digital sensor units are battery operated.
- Place multiple sensors throughout the home to monitor humidity in different areas
- Trending data over time helps us understand how the house holds moisture and breathes in different conditions
I use these units to monitor how my HVAC and dehumidifiers and functioning.
My basement is a moisture reservoir, so needs to have a dehumidifier running in it 24/7. I can tell the dehumidifier is running properly by how the humidity levels seesaw up & down every 10-20 minutes as the dehumidifier cycles.
Airthings Air Quality Metrics
If there is one item that I’m asked about most, it’s an air quality monitor.
There are lots of fancy-looking options on the market, but hardcore users quickly discover that most consumer-grade products aren’t very accurate.
I’ve spoken with two mold inspectors/indoor air quality professionals who’ve tested multiple consumer-grade brands against their professional equipment, and both were impressed with Airthings’ accuracy.
Pro tips & Important Details
- Measures radon, PM2.5, CO2, VOC, humidity, temperature, and barometric pressure
- Carbon dioxide is a particularly important data point due to its insidious health impacts; often high in houses with high mold and bacteria counts.
- Battery-powered
- Generous 5-year warranty
The magic of the Airthings View Plus is in the app, where historical data is accessed.
This unit does not replace the X-Sense humidity and leak detectors. We still want to place those throughout the home to monitor humidity and moisture. The Airthings is a single-location sensor that measures multiple important parameters to provide a comprehensive view of air quality.
Visual Monitoring - Wyze OG Cameras
I don’t primarily use these as security cameras. Rather, they’re my eyes away from home.
One of my biggest frustrations occurred during a trip when the kitchen freezer door popped open while we were in Indiana. By the time we got home, all of the food had thawed and spoiled.
A camera would have allowed us to identify the problem almost immediately.
Now I use them to make sure the sump pump hasn’t overflowed, there are no visible water leaks, etc.
Pro tips & Important Details
- Cameras are AC powered (plug into the wall)
- 120° view, 1080p, daytime color, and nighttime color (infrared) so you can see what’s going on in the dark
- They have a microphone and speaker, so you can listen for noises and speak to people present
- Set up alerts on the app when motion is detected
- Add a microSD card to store video footage for retrieval with no monthly subscription required!
True story: I love these cameras far more than I ever expected. (Which is also a little embarrassing, lol.)
The 120° view means they can be strategically placed to observe multiple doors, corridors, water sources (sinks/plumbing), etc.
We use them inside and outside to ensure everything is patent and secure when we’re not home.